Question

When the flower girl notices the notetaker she says, “They’ll take away my character and drive me on the streets for speaking to gentlemen.” Why can’t she speak to the gentleman?

She spoke impolitely to him and that was not allowed in England.
He doesn’t speak English and she offended him.
Since she is a woman she cannot speak to men.
She is poor and should not be speaking to someone of a higher social standing.

Answer 1

In my opinion, it is the last one cause many people in the past care about their status.